Tag: summer

Something a bit different today: my top 3 books for these last days of summer. I’ve been reading these great novels over the course of the summer, whenever I get to snatch a sunny moment at the beach or a couple of hours before bed. I loved them, so I want to share my reading recommendations with you. Let’s get started with my favorite one:

1 – “Mr. Mercedes” is a novel by Stephen King. This amazing thriller won the 2015 Edgar Award for Best Novel from the Mystery Writers of America, and the Goodreads Choice Awards for 2014 in the “Mystery and Thriller” category. Also, the TV series based on the first book of this trilogy premiered in the USA on August 9, 2017. So, maybe you will want to read the book, before watching the tv series… or maybe not, it’s up to you, but I can assure you that the show is really awesome. Mr. Mercedes is a page turner, a great thriller that set a retired detective against a criminal that got away.

Plot:

Many jobless people are standing in line for a job fair when a Mercedes plows into the crowd killing 8 people and severely injuring many. Bill Hodges, a recently retired detective from the local police department, receives a letter from an individual claiming to be the person responsible for the job fair incident, referring to himself as “Mr.Mercedes”. Hodges is divorced, lonely and fed up with his life, occasionally contemplating suicide. The Mr. Mercedes incident had taken place at the end of Hodges’ career and was still unresolved when he retired. Mr. Mercedes knows details of the murder and also mentions Olivia Trelawney, from whom he had stolen the Mercedes. Olivia had committed suicide soon after the massacre out of guilt. Hodges is intrigued and starts to investigate the case instead of turning the letter over to his former police colleague, Pete Huntley.

This novel is the first part of the Bill Hodges Trilogy, the second book is “Finders Keepers”, and the last one that ends the trilogy is “End of Watch”.

“Mr. Mercedes” is saturated with plot twists and, unlike the others Stephen King’s book, it is more like a detective story than a mystery novel per se, but that that’s why I like it so much. This is really a great thriller with a fair amount of thrill, perfect to read during a relaxing summer holiday. Personally, Ibecame intrigued with the cat and mouse game played between the retired detective and the psychopathic killer. Brady is a compelling villain with a tragic background that makes him one of King’s most memorable bad guys.

Then another ”outside the lines’’ book that may have something in common with The Walking Dead series/graphic novel:

2 – “The Passage” is the first book of a trilogy by Justin Cronin. There are three published books in the series and the first book now will be turned into a tv series. The author wrote both an uncompromisingly and suspenseful adventure and an epic chronicle of human endurance in the face of unprecedented catastrophe and unimaginable danger.

Plot:

“The Passage” begins in the near future and details an apocalyptic and, later, post-apocalyptic world that is overrun by vampire-like beings who are infected by a highly contagious virus. What begins as a project to develop a new immunity-boosting drug based on a virus carried by an unnamed species of bat in South America eventually becomes the virus that transforms the world. The novel extend over more than ninety years, as colonies of humans attempt to live in a world filled with superhuman creatures who are continually on the hunt for fresh blood.

First, the unthinkable: a security breach at a secret U.S. government facility unleashes the monstrous product of a chilling military experiment. Then, the unspeakable: a night of chaos and carnage gives way to sunrise on a nation, and ultimately a world, forever altered. All that remains for the stunned survivors is the long fight ahead and a future ruled by fear—of darkness, of death, of a fate far worse.

As civilization swiftly crumbles into a primal landscape of predators and prey, two people flee in search of sanctuary. FBI agent Brad Wolgast is a good man haunted by what he’s done in the line of duty. Six-year-old orphan Amy Harper Bellafonte is a refugee from the doomed scientific project that has triggered apocalypse. He is determined to protect her from the horror set loose by her captors. But for Amy, escaping the bloody fallout is only the beginning of a much longer odyssey—spanning miles and decades—towards the time and place where she must finish what should never have begun.

Again this book is the first part of a trilogy that continues with “The Twelve” and ends with “The City of Mirrors”.

I love this book because it is an excellent novel, with multi-leveled characters, spiritual mysteries and exciting action scenes. Also the writing is great and well-crafted. So, I really recommend this book, it is an amazing and fascinating read.

In the end, a great young adult novel. This book is perfect for everyone who loves serial killers, murders and bone-chilling plot twists, with young profiler FBI agents:

3 – “The Naturals” is a young adult mystery/thriller by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. This is the first book of a series of four.

Plot:

Seventeen-year-old Cassie is a natural at reading people. Piecing together the tiniest details, she can tell you who you are and what you want. But it’s not a skill that she’s ever taken seriously. That is, until the FBI come knocking at her grandma door: they’ve begun a classified program that uses exceptional teenagers to crack infamous cold cases, and they need Cassie.

What Cassie doesn’t realize is that there’s more at risk than a few unsolved homicides—especially when she’s sent to live with a group of teens whose gifts are as unusual as her own. Sarcastic, privileged Michael has a knack for reading emotions, which he uses to get inside Cassie’s head—and under her skin. Brooding Dean shares Cassie’s gift for profiling, but keeps her at arm’s length.

Soon, it becomes clear that no one in the Naturals program is what they seem. And when a new killer strikes, danger looms closer than Cassie could ever have imagined. Caught in a lethal game of cat and mouse with a killer, the Naturals are going to have to use all of their gifts just to survive.

This is a fun, fast-paced, intriguing and definitely not predictable read. The dynamics between characters will keep anyone entertained and the writing is also very good. It is the perfect summer book!

The Summer is coming to an end, but hopefully you’ll get a few more lazy, warm days to get some outside reading done.

Hello everyone! Today it’s a makeup day review, because we are going to talk about a great new foundation: NYX Total Control Drop Foundation.

Who is it for?

This foundation is perfect for every skin type, although it is best for normal to combination skin. If your skin is very oily you will need to prep your face very well with a mattifying primer before applying this foundation. Same if you have dry skin, I would recommend using a good unifying and moisturizing primer to make sure that your face is adequately hydrated.

What’s good about it?

I have been using NYX Total Control Drop Foundation for weeks now and in various weather conditions (warm sunny days with high humidity; cold windy evenings; cold and rainy days) and it worked perfectly every time.

I love that this fragrance free foundation is very lightweight, but also highly pigmented… and that means a little product goes a long way, plus a full coverage will never results in a cakey appearance. In fact the fluid texture of this foundation is really easy to blend, resulting in an attractive satin-matte finish that doesn’t highlight imperfections, and wears well throughout your normal work day, without fading or creasing.

Moreover, this liquid foundation comes in a glass bottle with a dropper dispenser, which is a brilliant way to distribute it, as you can easily adjust how much product you want/need, drop by drop, from a lovely sheer to a great full coverage and everything in between.

The extent of the shade selection of NYX Total Control Drop Foundation is very impressive; the perfect shade for my skin tone is the 05 Light, but there are several options from fair to deep skin tones. With so many options it can be hard to find which bottle to buy, you will really need to choose carefully which one of the two dozen shades is going to be perfect for your skin tone. So, I would recommend a visit to your nearest store to try in person this foundation; with a single drop on your neck or hand you will quickly find out the perfect shade for your skin tone.

A word of advice: the consistency of this foundation is, at first, a little bit on the watery side, so I would recommend putting the number of drops you want to use directly on your skin, with your fingers or the dispenser, and only after you can blend it on your face with a flat kabuki foundation brush. Otherwise, putting 4 or more drops right away on the brush will result in the unpleasant event that the tool will absorb the product entirely, leaving nothing on your skin.

The glass bottle contains ml.13 of product, but is really enough since you will need only 3/4 drops of it to achieve a lovely medium coverage. So, like I said, I little bit goes a long way.

What’s not so good about it?

Nothing, really! This is a good and not so pricey foundation that I will certainly recommend to give it a chance. But like I said before, you need to try it in store to find the perfect shade for your skin tone. Also, the best way to apply it is to put a couple of drops first directly on your skin, then blend it with your favorite foundation blush.

Final thoughts!

What I love most about NYX Total Control Drop is that it’s considered a drugstore product, but at the end of the day it has the performance of some famous brand foundation. In fact it’s remarkably buildable, blends smoothly across the skin and leaves your face with a lovely satin matte finish.

So, if you have the chance to have a shop nearby, go and give it a chance, I think you will not be disappointed!

Hello everyone! 🙂 Today it’s a makeup/skincare day review and we are going to talk about a product that I really loved last Summer: SVR Sebiaclear BB Cream SPF 20.

Who is it for?

Everyone who wants a good, non greasy and affordable BB cream for unifying and mattifying oily and acne prone skin.

What’s good about it?

I have been using this BB cream since I have finished my acne treatment, so all these past hot and humid Summer months, and I really loved it. I don’t like to put a full coverage foundation on my skin through the Summer, because here in Italy the heat and humidity can be pretty brutal, so your pricey foundation will melt on your skin in a blink of an eye and you will resemble a dreadful kabuki mask. That said, during Spring and Summer months, I usually replace my foundation with a BB Cream; this year I have tried the new SVR Sebiaclear BB Cream SPF 20.

Its thick, creamy, but lightweight texture is perfect to slightly conceal your imperfections and evens out your complexion in a natural-looking way. This is also a great oil-absorbing product that helps to keep your nose, chin and forehead shine-free throughout the day (but if you need an extra shine control power, you can always use a good pressed powder like the amazing Clinique Stay Matte Sheer Pressed Powder, my review here).

Another amazing quality of this paraben and fragrance free product is that it contains a broad spectrum sun protection (SPF20), which protects your skin from UV damage and prevents marks caused by the sun.

Moreover, SVR Sebiaclear BB Cream SPF 20 contains a very effective skin-restoring ingredient: Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3. Niacinamide improves your skin texture and increases the skin’s barrier functions so that the skin can look and feel more healthy; it also can protect your skin against bacterial infections that can cause acne and blemishes.

Of the two colors offered, I can only speak for the Light shade since it’s the one that suits just about fine my complexion; it blends effortlessly into the skin, blurring pores and other imperfections and offering also a temporary shine control perfect for people with oily skin.

Nothing really, this BB cream is an amazing product especially for people with oily or blemishes prone skin, plus it is really affordable! My only complaint is that it only comes in two shades.

Final thoughts!

In the end, there’s a lot to love about SVR Sebiaclear BB Cream SPF 20 from its texture that feels great and blends effortlessly into the skin, blurring pores and other imperfections, to its ability to temporarily mattifying your oily skin. Bonus point, it is really affordable. So, I really recommend it!

Hello everyone! 🙂 Today we are going to talk about my 3 favorite Summer masks.Who are they for?

Everyone who wants to take some relaxing time, once in a while, using a nice mask that can also help you fixing whatever skin issues you had.

What’s good about them?

They are all brilliant, very effective products, perfect for a quick fix or an extra boost. Plus, they are designed to change your skin for the better.

• Peter Thomas Roth Pumpking Enzyme Mask:

This is a powerful and highly effective exfoliating mask. Its skin-perfecting formula works pretty much on every concern, from congested to dullness and uneven skin tone.

The microbeads of this gentle scrub/mask help to cleanse all the dead cells on the surface of your skin, refreshing and smoothing it. Also, the pumpkin enzymes, with a little help from the Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) are amazing to revitalize and resurface a fresh and good-looking skin, ready for the next morning makeup day.

• How to use it: I use it as a last step during my skincare evening routine. I apply a light layer on my clean skin, then I gently massage in a circular motion with wet fingertips for a couple of seconds. I leave it for 5-10 minutes max., before washing it off with a warm and wet cloth.

It is a pricey product, but a little goes a long way and it really is a wonderful mask, so absolutely worth your money. Bonus Point: Its heavenly scent! This mask, in fact, has a Pumpkin Pie/Christmas Cinnamon Cookies smell, that is soooo nice I can’t explain it with words, you have to sniff it directly from the pot!

If you are unsure of what type of mask works best for your skin, or simple you want to try a good treatment that can possibly help to fix whatever skin issues you had, Peter Thomas Roth Pumpking Enzyme Mask is definitely an amazing product to try.

When you first apply this mask you may experience a slight tingling on your skin, but don’t worry, the uncomfortable feeling goes away once you washed the product off. About that, if you have sensitive skin be careful and try a sample before buying it.

This is an all-natural powerful mask that can take care of impurities and/or oily skin. I really love the freshness feeling that this product can give instantly to your skin; amazing after an hot and humid summer day!

When I opened the little pot of Magnaminty mask (what a tongue twister of a name, at least for me!) the smell hit me hard… but in a good way! Its strong, but natural, smell of mint is really nice, not annoying at all.

The texture of this product is very thick, but creamy and it works well to absorb the excess sebum without drying up your face.

•How to use it: I use it as a last step during my skincare evening routine. I apply a thick layer on my clean skin, leaving it for 5-10 minutes max., before washing it off with a warm and wet cloth. Bonus point: The amazing fresh sensation. You know that “wow” feeling when you have finished a mint candy, and swallow some cold water, getting that ‘icying’ sensation? That’s exactly how I would describe the feeling of this mask when applied to the skin! So, Mask of Magnaminty is a brilliant way to energize not only your skin, but your mind and senses too. Also, it is a great product to try if you are on a budget, but need a good deep purifying mask.

This mask is made with 100% natural ingredients; Evening Primrose Seed and Aduki Beans to exfoliate your skin, Honey to soothe, and the African Marigold oil to calm the redness of your face. Plus, the peppermint oil will give you that incredible fresh feeling I was talking before. Also, you have to remember that all Lush handmade and natural products have an expiration date, so you must use them within a few months of purchasing the product. I really love this stuff, it feels so good to apply it and it’s great for a fresh and proper skin detox!

This creamy, luxurious mask works very well to deephydrating dry and very dry skin. I have used this especially lastwinter, when my skin was very dry because I was under antibiotics to cure my acne prone skin. Now, I apply it once in a while as a quick boost to replenish my dull and dehydrated skin.

Its formula contains a good mix of emollients and antioxidants, that are capable of making every skin type look and feel better. Also, it helps your skin to stay hydrated all night long, allowing you to wake up to an healthy glow that lasts all day.

•How to use it: You can leave it on overnight, like a moisturizer (so without rising it), or you can use it like a propermask and wash it off after a little amount of time (15-30 min. tops). I prefer to use this as a last step during my skincare evening routine; I apply a light layer, wait 15 minutes max. and then rinse it off with a warm and wet cloth. Bonus point: You can also use it around the eye area, before going to bed, so you won’t need a separate eye cream.

Especially during Spring/Summer months, I love a proper pamper session finishing my skincare routine with a good face mask, at least once a week. It’s really great for your skin, and even a good way to improve and brighten up your mood. These three masks are all that I have been using recently, and each work well to fix different skin issues. I really adore them.

Have you already tried one of these masks before? Is your skincare routine time a good moment to relax?

Hello everyone! 🙂 Today it is a skincare day review, because we are going to talk about spray mists/toners. 🙂

Who are they for?

Everyone who wants a good refreshing, soothing and hydratingmisttospry onto the skin whenever and wherever they like during these hot summer days. Also, everyone who wants something light to replace their usual creamy, but heavy (for the summer) moisturizer.

What’s good about them?

They are all beautiful and effective spritz toners. Amazing to refresh, soothe and calm your irritated or overheated skin. Perfects must have products for this hot summer!

• Caudalie Organic Grape Water:

Its gentle, alcohol and fragrance-free formula contains only 100% organic grape water (according to Caudalie, the water is extracted directly from grapes in Bordeaux).

This is an amazing soothing and refreshing spritz toner, with the dual power to both lightly increase hydration and reduce sensitivity. It is suitable for every skin types.

How do you use it? Should you spray this on throughout the day or use it over makeup? That’s more a personal preference than a necessity; I prefer to use this on my bare skin as a toner after cleansing, or to refresh and calm the skin throughout these hot summer days. You can also use it as a replacement to your usual creamy moisturizer throughout the next hot and humid Summer months.

Its exceptional mineral composition and power to treat sensitive, dry or irritated skin have made the fragrance free Avène Thermal Water a legendary product. The pH of this water is close to neutral, and is bacteriologically pure; moreover, the low mineral content contains indispensable trace elements as well as silica, which leaves a soothing barrier over the skin. In conclusion, it is an amazing, multipurpose, simple but effective water! In fact, it works to comfort a range of everyday skin irritations including sunburn, razor burn, facial redness, itching, post-depilatory irritation, eczema and even nappy rash. However, it is suitable and provides essential care for all skin types.

What exactly do you use it for? The answer is everything, so, again, it is more a personal preference than a necessity. My favourites uses are:

– Throughout the day, especially during spring/summer months, since this water creates an invisible layer of mist which refresh and sooth your skin providing a long lasting relief.

– Keep it in the fridge and spray over your face when you feel an uncomfortable and overheated sensation on your skin.

Firts of all, this spray mist comes in a ridiculously cute and lovely packaging!

Second, it smells amazing, fruity and fresh, and oh so summer-ish.

Last, but not least, it easily fits in your purse, backpack, etc…, so it’s perfect to use when you are out and about during these hot summer days/nights.

This face mist is infused with a blend of fruit extracts, including aloe, to help hydrating dry or tired skin. So, this mist will give you a long lasting moist barrier throughout the day, and also a fresh and light summer fragrance.

How do you use it? Should you spray this on throughout the day or use it over makeup? Again, it’s up to you, which one you’ll prefer, it would be right. I prefer to use this on my bare skin as a toner after cleansing.

•Bonus Point: the container is also reusable and/or refillable!

What’s not so good about it?

It contains denatured alcohol, which has the potential to cause skin irritations. So, avoid contact with eyes and cease to use it if signs of irritation and/or rash appear. (P.S.: I’ve been using it for about a month now, and I don’t have had any problems so far).

Nothing really! They are all awesome spritz toners, and an instant boost for your skin. Also, the application of them can arise that ‘ahhhhh’ and “WOW” sensation that leaves your skin (and yourself) satisfied. They are a must have for the summer!

Final thoughts!

I really like these kind of products, they are so easy to use, effective and can be applied in a blink of an eye! I especially love taking these away with me in my purse, when I’m out and about in the city or on vacation, to use them whenever I want or need!

Have you ever tried a spritz toner? If so, which is your favourite? Mine is obviously the Avène Thermal Water!

It’s difficult to find shower gels and body cleansers that are gentle and non-drying but that actually do a proper work; these 3 are my favourites because they are effective, not drying, affordable and perfect for the next summer holidays!

• The Body Shop Piñita Colada Shower Gel:

The new summer body care range from Body Shop is simply delicious! This shower gel has a rich texture that refreshes and revitalizes your skin leaving behind a wonderful tropical scent of coconut and pineapple. Also, it contains cleansing agents that won’t dry your skin, and a few emollient ingredients to help softening it. A perfect summer product!

This is another amazing fragranced body wash! It cleanses well without being drying and produces a soft, slightly creamy lather that rinses well without leaving a residue behind. Its lightly but luscious and long lasting fragrance combines lemon and tangerine notes with sweet jasmine and almond scents that can remind you of the Mediterranean Sea and the French Riviera. This product is also soap-free, paraben-free and phenoxyethanol-free. Awesome!

This is a little different from a standard shower gel, because it has a mousse texture, similar to the ones that you put on your hair for styling.

The fragrance is fresh, frizzy and fruity with notes of rhubarb combined with vanilla scent. Another good, affordable and lightly summery scented shower product. It’s also perfect for everyday use and for combo/oily skin.

(P.S: I bought it at a Lidl shop.)

What’s not so good about it?

Nothing, really! They are all good body cleanser and affordable products. They also last for about 3/4 hours after you have washed them away.

Final thoughts!

I will use them randomly this summer because I really love these new fresh, fun and tasty smelling body cleansers that I have just discovered!

So, have you already tried one of these shower products? What’s your favourite? Or have you found any other summer shower gels that you like?:)

Hello everyone! 🙂 During this hot summer sometimes all we need is a lazy, hazy night in a quiet and refreshing place with a candle and a good book!

Last week I did a post about my favorite candles, so this time I’m going to write about some lovely books that I’ve been reading during this past months and this summer!

So, here we go: the 5 books +1 for a lovely and relaxing summer night:

Let’s begin with the one I liked the most:

• Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.

It’s a science fiction novel that takes place in the year 2044. I really love how the book is written and how the story goes by! It’s fascinating and new with a very unique but brilliant story to read at the beach or wherever you want. 🙂

Plot summary:

In the year 2044, Wade Watts, like most of humanity, escapes his grim surroundings by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual utopia. Like others, Wade dreams of discovering a virtual Easter Egg that lies concealed within one of thousands of virtual worlds by the OASIS’s creator, the late James Halliday. Halliday stipulated in his will that the person who discovers the egg will inherit his entire estate, including management and control of the OASIS itself; a prize worth hundreds of billions of dollars.

I know, I know this is not a short and cute novel, but occasionally we can read a super good book that take a lot of thought and close attention 🙂

I was completely hooked by this book, its story line and its characters, and for me this is the best reading time! 🙂 1Q84 is a complex and surreal book which shifts back and forth between space, time and the stories of two characters. It deals with very different themes: murder, history, cult religion, violence, family ties and love.

The events of 1Q84 take place in Tokyo during a fictionalized 1984, with the first volume set between April and June, the second between July and September, and the third between October and December.

Plot summary:

The book opens with Aomame as she catches a taxi in Tokyo on her way to a work assignment. When the taxi gets stuck in a traffic jam, the driver suggests that she get out of the car and climb down an emergency escape in order to make her important meeting, though he warns her that doing so might change the very nature of reality. Then Aomame starts to have bizarre experiences, noticing new details about the world that are subtly different. After reading some newspaper articles, she concludes that she must be living in an alternative reality, which she calls “1Q84,” and suspects that she entered it about the time she heard a strange music on the taxi radio. The character of Tengo is introduced next. Tengo’s editor asks him to rewrite an awkwardly written but otherwise promising manuscript, Air Chrysalis (空気さなぎ). Tengo has reservations about rewriting another author’s work; he agrees to do so only if he can meet with the original writer and ask for her permission. The original author, however, tells Tengo to do as he likes with the manuscript. Then Aomame and Tengo’s parallel worlds begin to draw closer to each other and their fates would become closely intertwined. Now they are each doing something very dangerous, in their own way. And in this world, there seems no way to save them both, but something extraordinary is starting.

Then we can move on to a sweet tale, with lightly dark undertones, about vampires. This is better than Twilight, at least for me:

•Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead.

This is a series of six young-adult paranormal romance novels. I must admit that the first one, Vampire Academy [there are 5 other books beside that: Frostbite, Shadow Kiss, Blood Promise, Spirit Bound and the final one Last Sacrifice] is not as adventurous as the last three, but if you love this kind of stories it will keep you glued to the series for the rest of the summer! 😉

Plot summary:

Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi princess, the last one of her family and a mortal vampire with a rare gift for harnessing the earth’s magic. She must be protected at all times from Strigoi, the evil undead vampires. The powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through Rose Hathaway makes her a dhampir. She is training to be a guardian of her Moroi best friend, Lissa. In the process of learning how to defeat the Strigoi in St. Vladimir’s Academy, Rose finds herself caught in a forbidden romance with her instructor, while having an unbreakable psychic bond with Lissa.

• I Met Murder by Selwyn Jepson

I love mystery books but this one is a very particular mystery/horror novel from a 1930 author. If you like Agatha Christie’s stories then you will definitely love this one! With a lot of unexpected action this thriller will have you sitting on the edge of your seat and just when you think you have figured out who the murderer is… HA! Good luck with that! 😉

Plot summary:

Eastblyth Manor, known as “the Castle”, is the country residence of John Arden, eminent English sociologist who leads a quiet and lonely life devoted to work. Here, every week, Arden gives evidence of its good taste with regard to wines and cuisine inviting to dinner some eminent guests : the financier Hamish Page, the Reverend Lionel Lake, the writer Katherine Codrington, professor Gilbert Skinner and his young and dissolute daughter. Arden helps the detectives when a rich dinner guest of his goes home to be found dead the next morning. The other guests at the dinner become suspects until the next death throws the whole case into chaos.

Wecan continue with:

• The Ruby Red Trilogy by Kerstin Gier

It is a series of three fantasy novels that follows the story of Gwen Shepherd, a time-traveling girl living in contemporary London. I loved this book, I read it in one month and I absolutely recommend it if you are a lover of fantasy/historical genre! Kerstin Gier’s Ruby Red is a young adult novel full of fantasy and romance. This is the first book followed by Sapphire Blue and Emerald Green.

Plot summary:

Gwendolyn Shepherd, a 16-year-old student, feels dizzy for the first time during lunch at her school in London. Not long after, she unintentionally takes a sudden spin to a different era! Gwendolyn travels through time several times after the first one and then is finally acknowledged as the last time traveler, the twelfth, whose symbolic gem is the Ruby. Now she has to put her blood into the chronograph, a time travel machine, so that she can use it to travel through time smoothly and avoid uncontrolled jumps.

Gwen must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon de Villers the young time traveler from a similarly gifted family whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwendolyn and Gideon travel through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust with their secrets.

And… drum rolls please… this is my +1:

I left my beloved trilogy for last, but if you have been on this planet and not living under a rock for the last years you probably know what I’m going to talk about:

• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

It’s one of my favorite series, I absolutely love the characters and the story line! Last summer I also find out about the movies and since then I became obsessed with this trilogy. If you haven’t read it yet you must give it a shot (FYI, the second book is my favorite one).

The trilogy consists of :

• The Hunger Games

• Catching Fire

• Mockingjay

Plot summary:

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, “The Hunger Games,” a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed.

That’s all folks, now I’m off to do some more reading! Have a good summer of books and fun. 🙂

Hello everyone! 🙂 I feel you, my lovely friends… it can be boring to read every week the same type of article, so today I’m going to write about my top 5 summer must have! 😉

It’s kinda super-hot here [32 °C/89,6 °F outside… and counting!], so we must stay fresh and clean… ok, now I sound cheap and cheesy like the voice in the commercial of the famous wipes! 😀
So, back to the topic, I have 5 must have products to keep in your summer beauty-case or near your desk while you are working.

First of all cleansing, because in the hot morning we all want to look fresh and sweat-free right?! 😉

• Its mousse formula has a lovely soft creamy texture, perfect for this hot summer weather!

• It is particularly great as a morning cleanser, because it leaves your skin feeling fresh, clean and balanced.

Then we want to make sure we have a smooth and healthy skin to show:

2- Bioderma Sensibio H2O – Micelle Solution For Sensitive Skin:

• It’s an extremely gentle, micellar water solution for use either before proper cleansing, or to quickly cleaning make up mistakes.

• It doesn’t require rinsing off and it has decongestant active ingredients (such as Cucumber Fruit Extract, etc.) that prevent irritation, making the skin feel instantly refreshed.

• It’s an indispensable companion for when you come home very late at night and you are too tired or/and too sweaty to do a proper skincare routine.

After we did the almost every day routine we need to soothe the dehydrated skin with:

3 – The Avène Eau Thermal Spring Water Spray:

• It can be used by all the family, and it’s refreshing action offers relief from all types of skin irritations. There’s nothing like a cold spray all over your face to make you feel vaguely human again!

• It contains indispensable traces of some mineral elements (e.g. silica). Thanks to them, this water leaves a soothing barrier all over the skin.

• It’s a great addition to your usual cleansing routine and an intensely cooling and soothing skin treatment when you are out and about during this hot summer days.

• There is a mini size of this brush, which is a perfect addition in your summer beach bag or in you travel bag.

Don’t forget to do a proper cleanse with a balm/gel/cream and a towel/flannel every morning and evening, even during this burning days!
It is also essential to keep your skin protected in this hot sunny weather; always choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF (preferably 20 or more).
Thanks for reading and happy summer to you all! 🙂

Hello everyone! 🙂 Super-hot, humid Summer is back… not cool!-.-‘ Today it’s a haircare day review, so, before I melt away like snow under the sun, I’m going to talk about the Classic Wet Brush! 🙂

Little premise as always: I have thick hair that tangles very easily. Therefore, I always have to brush my locks before I wash it, otherwise I will not be able to untangled it after washing my hair.

Who is it for?

I would recommend this product to anyone who needs a gentle hair brush that removes knots quickly and painlessly, especially from wet hair. It is also great for reinvigorating/massaging your scalp.

What’s good about it?

This ordinary looking hair brush has changed my life! I have thick and uncooperative hair, so detangling my locks was my most hated activity, but this brush slides smoothly through my tangles (like a hot knife through butter) without causing split ends or watery eyes. Plus, the amount of hair breaking off and falling out as I brush my locks is now little to none, which is a first, at least for me.

Now I love brushing my hair, because after using this amazing tool, my locks are smooth and tangle-free. In the past, I’ve bought expensive brushes per recommendation of my hair stylist that didn’t even come close to how good this brush works.

I love the Classic Wet Brush so much that I have already purchased the smaller version; it’s always in my bag!

Moreover, it is ergonomically designed with a rubber coated, non-slip handle, and it comes in several great colors.

P.S: I don’t have frizzy and unruly hair any more thanks to my beloved Paul Mitchell conditioner [I did my review here], used in combo with this amazing brush!

The only thing that bothers me is how to clean it. You have to be a little careful, because the bristles are so long that I have a hard time cleaning the base without bending them. Or you can use a specific cleaner that can easily and effectively remove the hair that gets stuck in your brush.

Final thoughts!

The Classic Wet Brush effortlessly detangles your wet or dry locks in no time at all without stretching or breaking your delicate strands, and it’s an amazing tool for everyone; long hair, curly, straight, short, children etc. I’ve gone through two of these brushes already (the classic one and the mini version), so far over the course of a year and I truly recommend this product to anyone who is looking for a new amazing and affordable hair brush. For me, it’s a must have for this summer!

What’s in it?

Ingredients:

None, it’s a brush! 😉 But how it works? I’m not quite sure what makes this brush perform better than the others, but according to the company this works, and I quote: “… with the revolutionary ‘IntelliFlex’ technology (…). The thin, strong yet super flexible bristles have “brains”, yielding or unbending as required, to glide through tangles with next-to-no tugging, tearing or tress distress. Also, the ball-tip bristles are perfect for gently stimulating circulation near the scalp, to better feed your follicles and encourage near growth”.